It was somehow fitting that Chris Meacham’s last game as coach with the Sunbury Kangaroos was against his old side Riddell.
Meacham spent five years at the Bombers and a further six at the Kangaroos, as both player and coach for each of the Riddell District Football League sides.
On Saturday, Riddell got the points, ending any chance of finals for the Kangaroos.
The Bombers won 22.22 (154) – 8.9 (57).
“They are a good side and you’ve got to hand it to them,” Meacham said.
“We did a few things in the las
t quarter, like putting Daniel Gregory forward to get him a goal in his 100th game, so the score didn’t really reflect the game.
“It was a pretty emotional day. You don’t understand that until you leave somewhere.”
As he left Riddell, so Meacham will leave the Kangaroos – on his own terms. Friendships are what count most for Meacham from his time at the Kangaroos.
“This year, I’ve missed the friendships. It’s been more a player-coach relationship at times.
“Nine of the players who played in the 2012 flag with me, played on Saturday. Jamie Cuffe [co-coach of the 2012 side with Meacham] was best-on-ground.”
Two premierships, both very different, are among the coach’s memories of a great era.
“In 2012, [at the Kangaroos] we had the doubters.
“It was special, you always dream of kicking the winning goal in a grand final on the siren.
“In 2008 with Riddell, we knew we were going to win it. Lee James, Mick Allen and myself are all 100 goal in a season goal kickers.
“It wasn’t necessarily as special for the club as the Kangaroos’ flag was, being its first one.”
While this season hasn’t been what Meacham and the Kangaroos wanted, there are still plenty of positives to emerge.
The downside was epitomised during the week when Simon Clarke did his hamstring at training, for the fourth time.
“We just laugh at the luck we’ve had this year,” Meacham said. “Mitch Trimboli and Roger Allen are two young players who have stepped up. Callum Lever is a very good player, and always puts his hand up.
“You’ll see more of the kids of the future coming through.”
And what does the future hold for Meacham?
“Potentially, a perfect fit might see me coach next year somewhere. It’ll be a clean slate.”
